New team, same goal

August 20, 2003

Albany- If you have think the Deerfield-Windsor Knights aren't planning to make a serious run at a second straight state title after losing 18 seniors from last year's championship team, then you better think again.

Wearing a pair of thick, white sunglasses during practice, Deerfield-Windsor coach Allen Lowe can still crack a joke despite the fact he returns just one starter on offense and three on defense from last year's state championship team.

That is because Lowe believes the backups to those graduated starters are ready for their turn to play.

Head coach Allen Lowe said "We are hoping the work ethic has paid off and that it is a filter down effect. These guys have worked hard this summer and we have had some good practices and we have made alot of improvement. It is just going to take us longer to reach what we feel is our potential."

Senior Wyatt Mitchell said "We did lose alot of key players in the skill positions and also in the line but we have alot of guys who have been working hard that are coming up to replace them that I think we will be just as good if not better."

In fact, Coach Lowe believes the Knights could just as good at the skill positions as they were last season.

Grant Walker steps up to play quarterback while the only returning starter on the offense, running back Jonathan Siskey will be joined by Beau Turpin and transfer Omar Ellis in the backfield..

The Knights are worried about their depth on both lines of scrimmage and with a rebuilt secondary.

Still, if all this talent can come together. Deerfield-Windsor could be a title contender once again.

Coach Lowe said "Who knows. You have got to be lucky. You got to be lucky come playoff time and last year we where and this year we think by the end of the year we will be a good football team."

The Knights state title defense begins with a tough road trip to Brookwood School Friday night .